Cervical Cancer Diagnosis: Know The Three Distinct Phases

by Manya Verma Health care and lifestyle

Cervical cancer takes place in the cervical cells. Cervix comprises the bottom portion of the uterus and helps set up a connection with the vagina. According to a cancer specialist from the best hospital in Gurgaon, it’s a variety of strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, which plays a major role in giving rise to most of the cases of cervical cancer.

· Diagnosis of cervical cancer at leading cancer hospitals in India is divided into three distinct phases.

1. Screening

o These tests help in detecting cervical cancerous cells or precancerous cells that might someday mature into cervical cancer.

o The majority of guidelines recommend starting screening for cervical cancerous as well as precancerous changes right from the age of 21.

o Screening tests consist of the following.

§ Pap test

· In the course of a Pap test, your doctor will be scraping and brushing cells from your cervix.

· Subsequently, the cells are sent to a lab to check for any abnormalities.

· With the help of a Pap test, it’s possible to carry out the detection of abnormal cells in your cervix.

· These include cancerous cells and cells exhibiting changes that amplify the risk to develop cervical cancer.

§ HPV DNA test

· As part of the preliminary stage of any cervical cancer treatment in India, HPV DNA test comprises examination of cells obtained from the cervix for infection.

· Such infections can take place because of contraction from any type of HPV which have the maximum likelihood of leading to cervical cancer.

· Talk over the screening options for cervical cancer in-depth with your doctor.

2. Diagnosis

o In case your doctor suspects cervical cancer, beginning the diagnosis with a thorough-going examination of your cervix is compulsory.

o Amidst the examination, looking for abnormal cells is accomplished by means of a colposcope, which is a special magnifying instrument.

o In the course of a colposcopic examination, a sample of the cells of your cervix will be likely taken by a doctor for laboratory testing (biopsy).

o To obtain the supposedly affected tissues, your doctor may use the following.

§ Punch biopsy

· It involves the use of a sharp tool for pinching off tiny samples of cervical tissue.

§ Endocervical curettage

· It uses a curet, which is a small, spoon-like instrument or a slender brush to abrade a sample of the tissue from your cervix.

o If the results from either punch biopsy or Endocervical curettage is worrying, you doctor from one of the best cancer hospitals in India might perform any of the following tests.

§ Electrical wire loop

· It makes use of a thin, narrow, low-voltage electric wire to get a tiny sample of the tissue.

· In general, this is carried out in the midst of local anesthesia at the doctor’s facility.

§ Cone biopsy (Conization)

· It’s a procedure which enables your doctor in acquiring more profound layers of the cells of your cervix meant for laboratory testing.

· A cone biopsy can be done at a hospital under the spell of general anesthesia.

3. Staging

o On the off chance, your doctor confirms that you’ve got cervical cancer, you’ll be asked to carry out additional tests to ascertain the stage of development of cancer.

o This is because of the reason that the stage of your cervical cancer is a crucial element in determining the course of your future treatment.

o Staging examinations include:

§ Imaging tests

· These include X-ray, MRI, CT, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to give assistance to your doctor in ascertaining if there’s a spread of your cancer beyond the cervix.

§ Visual examination of your rectum and urinary bladder

· This is accomplished by a doctor with the help of using special type of scopes to have a look into your rectum and urinary bladder.

Image result for cervical cancer

At Paras, considered one of the best hospitals in Gurgaon, cancer specialists render comprehensive, compassionate care to those suffering from cervical cancer. Doctors having garnered sufficient training in obstetrics and gynecology with supplementary know-how in surgery as well as cancer care (gynecologic oncologists) provide extensive care to people affected by cervical cancer.